Five Pointed Star Book

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The first weekend of December the ladies from Book Art Babes held a fun two day workshop. Here is one of the four books taught that weekend, the Star Book.
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Once I got past the tiny bit of math involved the process was rather straight forward. I look forward to making more of these accordion style books. I already have an idea or two rattling around in my head. I just love how graphic and sculptural this little book can be. Closed the book measures just 4.25 x 6.25 x.75 inches but open it stretches up to 2.5 feet.
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Above Left: front/outside pages of star
Above Right: back/inside of star
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Handmade Holiday Gift Tags

Dressed with a silver bow, a bit of ribbon,

a glass ornament and my

4x2" kilnformed and copper foiled ornament
this gift looks almost as special as the individual it is for.

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A special gift deserves as special tag. As I am wrapping a few gifts for family and friends I decided to reach for the ornaments I had finished just in time for the Pearl Brewery Artist Market. Although they sold well, I inevitable still have a few just perfect for that special gift. Once the gift is unwrapped this lovely little ornament can continue a long life year after year on the Christmas Tree. Made with the glass from picture frames, after a light application of glass powder in the kiln, they were put together using very traditional stain glass techniques of copper foil/solder.
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Last Show of the Season

I'll be downtown this Saturday from 9:00AM to 4:00PM, with Nina "Sam" Hibler from Dream Fire Glass, at the Historic Pearl Brewery's Holiday Festival. They are expanding their weekly farmer's market to include a gift market with local artisans and many exciting activities. This event provides the chance to see live glass blowing demonstrations. Larry West will be on hand with his mobile glass blowing unit. Sam and I will also have educational videos which demonstrate the processes used in the creation of some the items available for sale. Throw in a chance to see Santa and lots of holiday events and this should be fun for the whole family.

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Hope to see you there!
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St.Thomas Art & Craft Fair

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You will be able to find me

Saturday, December 5th

10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

at the

St. Thomas Episcopal Church & School

Art & Craft Fair

1416 N Loop 1604 East

San Antonio, Texas 78232

at the intersection of 1604 and HWY 281

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Another opportunity for holiday shopping...

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March of Dimes Silent Auction

I was recently invited to participate in a event to support the March of Dimes. I felt honored to have the opportunity to contribute to this cause, while doing something I love. Those who picked up something for themselves or as a gift, did so knowing a portion of their purchase would go to support the March of Dimes. It was a fun event and a win, win for all involved.

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Sweet Liberty Creations

I recently made the trip north on US Highway 281 through Marble Falls to Liberty Hill, Texas to visit Diane Kipfer at Sweet Liberty Creations. Diane made a whole new selection of work for the gallery including the items below and more, just in time for holiday shopping...

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On my way home I stopped in Marble Falls to visit with a dear friend, who broke away from her computer where she runs Hour Glass Fashion to join me for lunch, at the legendary Blue Bonnet Cafe. I make it a point to carry a bit a cash anytime I will be remotely close the Blue Bonnet Cafe as they do not accept today's credit card currency. The food is good, the prices fair and did I mentioned the PIE. I always leave this place on a heavenly sugar buzz from the mile high mirage on my favorite coconut cream pie. It's a good thing I live an hour down the road or I'd have to buy pants with elastic waist bands.
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Inspire Me Thrusday - Tree

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The above photographs are sections of two 11.5 x 15" framed pieces containing relief prints made using gold Hanovia ink on soda lime kilnformed and torchworked glass. Devoid of leaves this tree's naked structure lies exposed to winter's elements. The leaves which once generated nourishment will later provide a different kind sustenance in the rich black earth they create. One does not exist without the other and yet independently both the tree and the leaves hold thier own beauty.
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Uptown Art Stroll

Saturday, November 7th 10AM to 5PM

Sunday, November 8th 1PM to 5PM

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Uptown Art Stroll is a free two day art stroll through three charming San Antonio communities visiting some of San Antonio's most exciting artists. This is a great opportunity to:

Visit quaint, historic neighborhoods in San Antonio
Support local artists in your community
Speak directly with the artists

Look for unique gifts for the holidays

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You will find me, along with other members of the San Antonio Glass Art Guild (SAGAG), at 5331 Howard Street. A map of all the locations is available online at southofbasse.com. Larry West will be doing Hot Glass Demonstrations in his mobile blowing unit. This is a great chance to watch an artisan craft hand blown glass.
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Wings

No bird soars to high,

if he soars with his own wings

-William Blake
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4x6" Linoleum Block Print

I have played a bit recently with some very simple linoleum block prints, like the one above and the chair posted on September 9th. As with any new interest, I looked to a book for a little guidance. Simple Printmaking by Gwen Diehn provided a good high level introduction to making relief prints.

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Why Bookbinding?

Why bookbinding on a glass blog? This is a question you might be asking. It is certainly one I asked myself before I began learning this skill and as I began posting about it. It boils down to this; I believe it is important to expose yourself to new skills and techniques. Doing so has so many benefits.
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Exercise Your Mind

Challenging and stretching one’s abilities keeps your mind nimble. Learning new skills, specific those accompanied by a new physical or social activity are commonly recommended to deter dementia. If we simply continue to do what we have always done, we use only the same neural pathways we have already developed. It would be like doing the exact same workout every time you go to the gym. Shake it up every now and then and workout a different area of your mind.

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New Ideas

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A fresh perspective can generate new ideas. While working on my first book, in the summer of 2008, I learned about and used the formal canon. This principle uses lines drawn to divide the page indicating where text and design should be located, based on the principles from the golden mean. After preparing 128 pages this way, I became enamored not just with the technique but the lines and intersection of points it created as a design in itself. This showed up very quickly in fused glass pieces like the one auctioned on behalf of SaySi, last February.
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Above Left: The formal cannon lines on a blank page
Below Left: Page from the my first book, completed in 2008
Below Right: First of several glass pieces from this inspiration

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The Importance of Planning

More and more I am assured of the importance of thinking through work in advance and documenting the entire process in a complete and holistic way, not just the material and firing schedule. For me, these books beginning to serve this purpose. Using the book to tell the story of a body of work from conception to completion, helps me to both plan and document a particular series. The book I created in 2008 was used as a gathering place, for thoughts on water, for a work in glass I am still slowly (very slowly) working on. In May, I made another book, which I am using to gather ideas and document the process for a series I am presently working on but I'll share more on that book/glass series later.
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Blog Action Day 2009 - Climate Change

Artist have always drawn from the environment both for their resources as well as the inspiration used to create. We take resources like clay, wood, metal, fibers and minerals. We work with the characteristics of these materials attempting in enhance them or sometimes just to stay out of the way of their natural beauty. So often we try to use these materials to capture or communicate something of our landscape. That landscape may be something small like a nearby flower, a texture or color. On a wider scale so many poets, painters and photographers have been inspired by natures vast and grand beauties. It is only appropriate that craftsman and artists take a special interest in the impacts of climate change on the world we draw from.
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Above Left: 6" cast soda lime glass bowl

Above Right: detail of this same bowl

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Although it has been years now since I traveled as far North as when I visited Alaska, I have never forgotten the impact of that land and sea scape. I still try in vain to capture memories from just those couple of days spent in the mist of the ice and water of Glacier Bay. Often I consider what the impacts of climate change are to that and other glacier environments around the world.

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For information on how climate change is impacting Glaciers check out these websites:

Union of Concerned Scientists

The Encyclopedia of Earth

Live Science

Buzzle

-10x10" footed sushi plate made of soda lime glass

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The Language of Book Arts

I recently read, a book checked out from the San Antonio Calligraphy Guild Library, titled A Degree of Mastery written by Annie Tremmell Wilcox. After participating in a few bookbinding workshops, I was open and amazed at the story this book told of a journey through a book arts apprenticeship and a life long pursuit of mastery. As I am just becoming familiar with the tools and techniques, I found it an amazing experience to swim in the language of this skill set. It was like being dropped in the middle of a Latin American country after taking only one semester of Spanish. It all sounds familiar and beautiful but your not really grasping it all. Then before you know it you begin to understand and even contribute to the conversation. This is how I would describe my relationship to this book.

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For anyone who has spent time learning the skills associated with any craft, you will appreciate the homage Annie pays her instructor. Through the course of her story she tells a deeply personal and heartfelt account of her education as a bookbinder and the master who contributed to it.

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To assist me with my new learning, I sought out a simple entry level book on the subject of bookbinding. You know, one with easy to understand language, pretty pictures and vibrant colors. I'll get to the more technical ones later. What I need right now is something to help me understand the lingo, learn the very basic tools and encourage my budding interest, without overwhelming me. I found The Bookbinding Handbook: Simple Techniques and Step-by-Step Projects at my neighborhood mega-bookstore, and it does the job nicely.

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ART281 - Sunday, October 11th

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The San Antonio Glass Art Guild (SAGAG) is sponsoring ART281 an one day venue for artists and art organizations to display, promote and sell their art work directly to the public. The event will take place on the grounds of My Place Bar & Grille on Sunday, October 11, 2009 from 10:00am to 6:00pm. I will be their along with around 40 other artists. More information, including a list of participating artists, is available at http://www.art281.com/. Stop by and enjoy Prime Rib Sunday at My Place Bar & Grille, take a stroll among the artisans to see their work and enjoy the festival atmosphere with dancers and musicians.
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My Place Bar & Grille
29094 US Highway 281 North

Bulverde, Texas 78163-3105

Just 8 miles outside Loop 1604

North on US Highway 281
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The BIG book

I recently completed my third handmade book, under the tutelage of Maggie and Leslie from Book Art Babes. This, a leather book with cords, was differently the most difficult and rewarding of the books I have made thus far. Each time, I become more and more familiar with the tools of the trade, the language (like any specialty they have their own vocabulary) and materials. Although I will spare you the many details. Here is a high level progression of this project, which took the better part of 4 days from start to end.

-The text block was made from individual sheets of 22x30" paper torn down, folded, punched and sewn together. To this codex I added five linen cords and custom headbands at each end.

-After the text block is prepared, the spine of the book is strengthened by applying a series of wheat paste and long fiber papers, including Kozo and Kitikata.

-After significant measuring and remeasuring, Davey Board was cut to the appropriate size, wholes wear drilled for the linen cords and the boards where tentatively placed on the text block. The design for the leather and decorative paper where sketched on the board's surface.
- The leather was cut, prepared and applied to the spine and corners of the book. A heavy weight conservation quality paper was then used to fill the space between the leather before applying the decorative paper. As a final touch a doublure was cut from the leather and applied inside between the cover and text block (very fancy).

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When all was said and done...

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Thank you Maggie and Leslie. You are wonderful educators. I am looking forward to contining my book arts education with you in the winter.

Peace

photo of a brick wall taken in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania July 2009

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As my brother leaves for yet another tour in Iraq, I consider all the of the time, money and many impacts cause by these struggles. Would it not be so much easier if we could all direct this energy, in actions small and large, toward the purpose of peace. It could not possibly be any more difficult to love, respect or at least tolerate, then it is to hate. And if we all were to view the world from this perspective, could we not find resolutions to avoid violence. For if violence is what got us here, it can not possibly be the sole solution. Peace is not just the result. It is the way of life for each of us to embrace daily. Let peace be your inspiration, not just Thursday but everyday.

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Joy

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Joy...
It comes from within

and gives voice to our actions.
It should be shared

and in doing will multiply.

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12x12" sandblasted and kinformed float glass

echoes & reflections

The completion of another intermediate seminar as we continue to increase the depth of knowledge and wealth of glass artists in the San Antonio area. Join Gail Stouffer, Nina "Sam" Hibler and myself as we celebrate the success of these students and the work they accomplished during this nine week adventure.

Mad For Plaid

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It seems like this fall everyone is just mad for plaid. Although typically I am not one follow trends, this one was hard for even me to miss. All this talk of tartan patterns reminded me of a simple and fun way to achieve this same crisscross effect in glass. So here it is, a 4x4" glass sushi plate, perfect as coaster for a glass of scotch or small appetizer plate.

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Protecting Your Prize Possessions - Continued

If you didn't get enough of my rant on gloves the first time, I have more. I know, you were hoping I would.

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In addition to the pair of superstar HexArmor 9010 gloves I originally purchased, I recently received a pair of Magid Kevlar Armor gloves. A seamless knit glove with a level 5 of out of 6 rating on the ANIS scale for cut resistance they were just under $9 on magidglove.com, safe and affordable. Although I only used them briefly, I was not a big fan. I felt encumbered by them, lost behind the thick barrier of knit Kevlar. They'll work great for pulling sheet glass from the crate but not so great of anything more detailed.

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On the flip side, Cleo my 10-month old Doberman Pincher conducted her own test. Like so many puppies, Cleo is skilled at destruction. I should have known when the house was quite something was wrong. When I found Cleo she had one glove in her mouth and the other on the floor next to her. I'm gonna guess she had been working at them for a good 10 minutes. Nothing she has picked up has yet to survive far lesser periods of time alone with Cleo. These gloves, however, did not have a single snag. That's pretty amazing. Made of Kevlar Armor they are three times more cut resistant then standard Kevlar. Based on Cleo's incisors, I'm gonna say with confidence they are not just cut resistant but puncture resistant gloves too.

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Just a few last words before I step off my soap box. If you are going make the effort to find protective gear, get the right stuff for the job. Otherwise you set yourself with a false sense of security which can only disappoint. You're not wearing them to look pretty after all.

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Okay, I'm done now...

Iron Spine

Where my imaginary line

Bends square in woods, an iron spine

And pile or real rocks have been founded.

And off this corner in the wild,

Where these are driven in and piled,

One tree, by being deeply wounded,

Has been impressed as Witness Tree

And made commit to memory

My proof of being not unbounded.

Thus truth's established and borne out,

Though circumstanced with dark and doubt-

Though by a world of doubt surrounded.

- Beech by Robert Frost

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11x9" torchworked and kilnformed glass with metal

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Robert Frost being one of my favorite poets, this poem came easily to mind when I was making this piece. So from this poem I acquired the phrase which now services serve as it's title, Iron Spine.

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Spanish/English Flash Card

Print from a linolium carving

My mother gave me a valuable gift when she decided she was going to not just encourage but require me to speak Spanish at home. In a family where Spanish was the first language of both my parents, it was a natural and easy skill for me to acquire. Her true dedication and discipline became evident when she decided I needed to learn to read and write in Spanish as well. So in the evenings and on summer vacations my mother would sit me down to learn the alphabet phonetically, review flash cards and read books aloud. At the time I thought it was a cruel type of punishment. Now I see it for the priceless gift it was. Quality time alone with my mother, the opportunity to connect with family and friends old and new, and a wider/deeper perspective on the world we are all part of what I found in those flash cards.
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Mi mama me dio un regalo valioso cuando decido a requerir me que hable español en el casa. En una familia donde la primera idioma de mis padres era español, era una habilidad natural y fácil aprended español. Su esmero y disciplina llegaron a ser evidentes cuando ella decido que también necesitaba aprender a leer y escribir en español. Por las tardes y las vacaciones del verano mi mama se centava con migo para enseñad me el alfabeto fonético, trabajar con tarjetas de destello y leyó libros en voz alta. En esos tempos yo pensé que era un castigo. Ahora lo veo para el regalo que era. El tiempo de calidad solamente con mi mama, la oportunidad poded hablad con familia y amigos viejos y nuevos, y una perspectiva más amplia/más profunda del mundo eran toda parte de lo que encontré en esas tarjetas.

Summer Reading

Summer reading should be purely for enjoyment, relaxation or escape. It’s that “guilty pleasure” book you read at the beach or the paperback novel you buy at the airport to read on the plane. These aren't the types of books you discuss at a gallery opening with distinguished strangers, not normally anyway. They’re the kind of books you talk about at the water cooler or at lunch with friends. Here are a few of my summertime reads:
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When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris
I could not buy this book fast enough after hearing David Sedaris read an excerpt from it on This American Life last fall. After receiving my online purchase in the mail, life’s busy routine prevented me from really enjoying it. So, when flying from San Antonio to Pittsburgh in July I took this book with me. Talk about guilty pleasures. I laughed so hard inside and out. All the while I kept glancing over my shoulder as if my dearly departed mother was going to catch me and give me a dirty look. It’s too well written to be “bad” but, oh my, it can’t possible be “good”. The hours I spent stuck in the middle seat flew by, no pun intended. With chapters like Adult Figures Charging Toward a Concrete Toadstool, you get not only entertainment but an interesting prospective on art in everyday life. I’m sure this is one book I will pick up again and again to read this section or that. No need to read the whole thing through to get enjoyment but once I pick it up I doubt I’ll want to put it down.
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The Girl in the Glass by Jeffory Ford
Talk about escapism, this one is over the top. Set in the Great Depression this book’s cast of eccentric characters includes con-artists, circus side show performers, immigrants, and wealthy businessmen who all get entangled in a deadly mystery. With in a little bit of magic, a few elaborately staged seances, a budding young love story, and an albino or two this story takes it’s readers on a roller coaster ride. With no lack for drama the plot crescendos to an explosive fourth quarter and finishes with just a hint of mystery.
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Sea Glass by Anita Shreve
Bestselling author Anita Shreve brings readers back to the New Hampshire coast house featured in The Pilot's Wife and Fortune's Rockers. This story is told through the splendid development of a handful of characters. As we get to better know them, and they each other the storyline progresses. Set in the winter of 1920, I was able to escape one of the hottest summers of recent Texas history even if only in my mind. I'll spare your the details and make just one suggestion. This touching story is best suited to a long quite read, whether it's on a warm summer afternoon in the park or a cold winter morning curled up on the coach.

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Scene in SA August Artist of the Month

Scene in SA's August issue is out on newsstands and includes a two page spread on Dream Fire Glass artist Nina "Sam" Hibler. The article includes a brief overview of her recent work including Pinata Donkeys and Muy Caliente beads. It also delves into Sam's own special relationship with glass, the "wicked mistress". "Treat it right, and you'll get everything you need. Don't, and suffer the consequences."

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Protecting Your Prize Posessions

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As I get ready to work I put on a comfortable old pair of jeans, slip into a pair of leather work shoes and grab one of a half dozen pair of safety glasses that sit strewn across every work surface. Then with my bare hands I start to pull the glass I will work with that day. I have worked for years with my bare hands safely and without incident. This is not uncommon. Of all the glass artists have met it has been rare to see anyone wear gloves except in specific circumstances like opening an operating kiln or charging a vitrigraph pot. You respect the material, work smart and use common sense, and for the most part they cuts you endure are scratches no worse then a paper cut. However recently I learned the impacts that can occur in just an instant due to an accident. My hands may not be pretty but they are precious to me. Seeking to provide them with the appropriate level of protection I began the search for the right pair of work gloves.
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Finding gloves wasn't hard. They are everywhere from your local hardware store to a marinade of online distributors. But I didn't want to buy just any pair of gloves. After all if you’re going to do something, do it right. I knew a "cut resistant" glove would not suffice as injury could occur from not only slicing cuts but also puncture/impact cuts and abrasion. The gloves I was looking for would have to be cut, puncture and abrasion resistant. At the same time I did not want them to inhibit my mobility, flexibility or comfort. I know I'm picky. Isn't everyone?
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This first thing I noticed was that a gloves resistance is rated with levels ranging from 0 to 6, 6 being the highest level of protection. There are three standards of measurement. The ASTM F1790 is a U.S. standard, the ISO 13997 an international standard and EN 388 the European Standard. Each one has its own manner of testing. I’ll spear you the details just keep in mind variations in testing can make this measurement relative. In short, it’s useful but should not be the sole determination in your decision.
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Look closely at the type of material the glove is made of. Metal Mesh and HexArmor provide the highest level of cut resistance, followed by Fiber-Metal blends like Kevlar Steel or Dyneema. Materials commonly used in work gloves also include Kevlar, Vectran and Twaron. These materials are five times stronger then steel. Kevlar is also known to provide protection from heat an added bonus for a glass artist. Looking at a pair of cotton, leather or latex gloves? Keep looking. Although they may appear substantial the level of protection provided by these materials is minimal. Material choice is one of the most important factors. Also consider the weight of the material, the tightness of the weave or thread count, and any coating applied to the fabric like nitrole or latex.
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All this is starting to sound a little to complicate for just a pair of gloves. Call in the professionals. The turning point in my decision took place when I spoke directly with manufactures. It was the HexArmor Representative who impressed me the most. He asked a host of questions to evaluate my specific needs. What did I do? How did I work? Did I need protection from the glass, the machinery or both? And to all this I added I would need to be able to use these gloves wet and dry. Considering all this he recommended 9010 from HexArmor's level six series. Levels six, that’s was a good start. They are made with Hexarmor, a material ranked right up there with metal mesh for its protective qualities. The palms of the gloves have a cut resistant shell with a nitrile coating to increase grip. I was Sold. The moment I hung up the phone I got online and purchased a pair.
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I am very happy with my gloves. I have made a few minor adjustments for my own personal use, which you may notice in the photo. Let me explain. I have small hands, specifically short fingers. I ordered the smallest size glove available and the fingers were still a ½ inch to long. This coupled with the need to feel a piece while I am working lead to my decision to cut the tips of the fingers off. I am fairly sure the manufacture would not support me in this decision. When cutting the gloves I made sure only to expose the very tip of the fingers, getting ride of that excess ½” of material while leaving the vital parts of my fingers and hand as protected as possible. I then sewed the edges so they would not fray. By opening the glove I risk something can get inside or I could cut the tip of a finger. At a personal level, I’m comfortable this is right balance of protection and flexibility for me.

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Photo by Nina Hibler

Me using my gloves while grinding a glass tile on a lapidary wheel

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